In Formula 1, success often hinges on precise time and distance measurements. Drivers must follow the optimal racing lines through corners to achieve ideal lap times. However, there are instances where racers may push the limits and cross the line to gain an advantage. To address this, F1 is implementing an AI system to determine if a vehicle’s wheels have fully crossed the designated boundary line.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of motorsports, has revealed its plan to introduce Computer Vision technology at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to monitor track limits. By analyzing the number of instances where cars breach the track boundaries, the FIA aims to streamline the review process.
While the FIA does not currently intend to fully automate the review of track limit violations, it seeks to reduce the workload of manual inspections significantly. In a recent report by Reuters, it was noted that during the Austrian Grand Prix, four individuals had to assess approximately 1,200 potential breaches. Following some oversights during the US Grand Prix, the FIA recognized the need for a more effective strategy, hence the adoption of Computer Vision technology.
Notably, this technology has also been utilized in the medical field to aid in cancer screening evaluations. Tim Malyon, the FIA’s deputy race director and head of remote operations, clarified that the purpose is not to use Computer Vision for cancer diagnosis but to filter out cases where cancer is clearly absent, allowing experts to focus on critical cases.
The FIA’s objective is to limit the manual review of potential violations to around 50 incidents per race, targeting those that require human intervention. Malyon emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to expedite the process and enhance accuracy.
While acknowledging the current reliance on human judgment in certain aspects of racing, Malyon envisions a future where real-time automated systems play a more prominent role in ensuring fair competition. Despite the existing preference for human oversight, the FIA believes that automated policing mechanisms will inevitably shape the future of race management.
